Sports director Bartko appeals for patience after the DESG bankruptcy: “We will need time”

Pyeongchang (SID) After the collective failure of his athletes at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, sports director Robert Bartko from the German Speed Skating Association (DESG) has also set low expectations for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. "We will need time. There will be no quick success. You cannot say it more clearly," said the two-time Olympic track cycling champion Bartko: "No significant change is to be expected before 2026 and 2030." But everything will be done to realize this as quickly as possible. The once successful DESG remained without a medal in South Korea, as it did four years ago in Sochi. The nine-member speed skating squad was almost consistently disappointing. As expected, the short track trackers Anna Seidel and Bianca Walter, who arrived as outsiders, had no chance. "We traveled to the Olympic Games with very high expectations. Afterwards, we have to say clearly that the medal chances didn't work out," said Bartko, who has held the position since December 2014. Last but not least, the World Cup medals from the previous year by Claudia Pechstein, Patrick Beckert and Nico Ihle as well as the good World Cup performances in the team pursuit had awakened medal hopes in the association. Bartko and the DESG leadership are now entering the upcoming talks about funding with a poor negotiating basis. The fact that people are being evaluated based on performance doesn't scare him, says Bartko. "It will be up to us to create the basis for good arguments in order to receive further support. If we fail to do this, then poor performance must also have consequences. But we will do everything we can to give the right answers." , he said. Looking to the future, Bartko called for patience. "We currently have a very small base. Our concepts need time to deliver results. That's why Beijing is a short-term goal in our long-term direction. It was clear that the path was not taken in three or four years," said the 42nd -year olds. Young runners are to be developed in the coming years with a “strong training structure” and “high standards”. “This is the only way we can get back to the top of the world. There will be no alternative,” he said. The collaboration with head national coach Jan van Veen will also continue. "I'm still having fun," said the Dutchman, whose contract expires at the end of the year.

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Sports director Bartko appeals for patience after the DESG bankruptcy: “We will need time”

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